Flintlock Identification

[M_Langlais]

Hello everyone,
first time here, and I was hoping I could get some help in identifying a Flintlock that my grandfather owns. All I know of it's history is that my Great-Grandfather owned it prior and kept it mounted on a wall. On top of the barrel is a stamp that I believe says "Made in Belgium" though part of it is obscured/doublestamped. I've included a few pics of the barrel stamps (right side and left). Total length is about 5 to 5.5' long, with a bore between .5o and .58 caliber. I didn't have any way of accurately measuring it at the time.
My great-grandfather had two flintlocks, one was a replica, the other supposedly genuine, and my grandpa doesn't know which one he has.
I can try to answer any questions you have.
thanks for your help.
Images: http://phoenixravenwolf.deviantart.com/art/Flintlock-left-side-167369577 http://phoenixravenwolf.deviantart.com/art/Flintlock-right-side-167369738 http://phoenixravenwolf.deviantart.com/art/Flintlock-full-167369876

The images are clickable to enlarge to the full size. If you would prefer, I can email them to whomever would like.

Thanks again.
Mike

 

[rabjr]

Hi Mike welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

At first glance I would say it was one of the many guns made for the African trade, it looks like anyway from what I have learned here. But there are more qualifyed people who can answer this better than I for ya, hopefully they will.

 

[M_Langlais]

Hey Swampy, thank's for the reply!
That would certainly be interesting if it did that have that kind of history to it.
Well these aren't attaching in the best manner, as it is downscaling the image, though most of the markings do come through. on the first image though, in the circle are the letters
E
L G
*
above that is an S with a star above it.

 

[rabjr]

I wish someone more knowledgable than me would chime in here but it sure looks like one of the many guns made for the African trade to me. Sure looks like what I've seen before and was told was so.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Yep I think Swampy nailed it. Keep in mind that Belgium was still making flints and percs into the 1960's for sale to natives in Africa. Turner Kikland founder of Dixie Gun Works would buy some of the better made guns for sale by Dixie Gun Works. I would estimate the manufacture between 1950 and 1965. There may well be a way to tell from the proofs and other marks to narrow it down. I don't have any DGW cats back that far to refer to. Perhaps someone else does. I think my oldest is 1970.

 

[TFoley]

Yep I think Swampy nailed it. Keep in mind that Belgium was still making flints and percs into the 1960's for sale to natives in Africa. Turner Kikland founder of Dixie Gun Works would buy some of the better made guns for sale by Dixie Gun Works. I would estimate the manufacture between 1950 and 1965. There may well be a way to tell from the proofs and other marks to narrow it down. I don't have any DGW cats back that far to refer to. Perhaps someone else does. I think my oldest is 1970.

Quite modern manufacture, and, I agree, probably for Turner Kirkland.

The marks are as follows - ELG over star - Liege proofmark since 1893 for smoothbore only.

Crown over S - initial of inspector

Intertwined EL - smoothbore stamp since 1924.

tac
Supporter of The Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund

 

[redwing]

These were sold by Sears & Robuck around 1963. They were called Long Fowlers. I think they sold for around $40.00 bucks back then. Yes, I owned one :redface: I think the frizzen was good for about 20 shots. They were crude but cheap.